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Ben Boyanoski and the Scranton Prep boys golf team served notice Monday at the Bob Simons Classic.
Boyanoski shot an even-par 72 (36-36) to claim the individual title by one shot over freshman teammate Cole Powell (37-36). Holy Cross senior Steve Yurkovic was third with a 74 (38-36).
The individual 1-2 finish helped the Cavaliers capture the team title with a score of 304. That was 10 strokes better than Abington Heights. Riverside was third with 342.
Besides Boyanoski and Powell, Scranton Prep had the low freshman in Brendan Bell, who shot 79, and low sophomore in Jack Pavuk, who carded an 80. T.J. Stott (80) and Ben Walsh (85) also played for the Cavaliers, but their scores didn’t count in the team total.
“With Jack as low sophomore and our two freshmen stepping up to the plate first go-round, I’m super proud of them,” Scranton Prep coach Christi Dorece said in a phone interview. “And Ben’s been working and digging at it for a long time, so I’m super happy he played well. He stuck to his game and stayed patient.”
At this event last year, Boyanoski was low sophomore with an 80.
On Monday, he got off to a rough start. Beginning on the par-4 fourth hole, he hit a shot over the green and wound up with a double bogey.
“After that double, I just said to myself that I have to bounce back,” Boyanoski said. “Two great lag putts on two straight holes got my round moving.
“I putted really well, hit a good amount of greens. Everything was kind of there after the first hole.”
On hole No. 5, Boyanoski said he hit a 60-footer to about three feet for a two-putt that started his recovery. Pars on the next few holes steadied his round. Then on the par-4 10th hole, Boyanoski said he hit a wedge shot to within three feet to make a birdie.
“That kind of flipped everything around,” Boyanoski said. “I was like, I can actually get some stuff moving here.”
Still, with three holes remaining, Boyanoski looked at the leaderboard and saw he was two shots back. He finished with birdies on Nos. 1 and 2 and a par on No. 3 to win the title by one shot over Powell.
“I looked to see where I stood and if I needed to make any ground up,” Boyanoski said. “Cole Powell’s a great kid and a great player. It was like a friendly little match.”
Last season, Scranton Prep finished third in Class 2A at the PIAA Championships. With several starters back this season, the Cavaliers have high expectations.
Monday’s performance gives them a confidence boost.
“We’ve been preparing hard all summer,” Boyanoski said. “we’ve been looking forward. States is our goal and the way we can do that is by making each other better. Winning today helps us see that we really can do this. Now, we’ve just got to get the job done.”
Added Dorece: “This is a good start. I think everybody realizes now that we have a very strong team. It was all hearsay until the numbers were posted. I’m really excited to see what these boys can do.”
Riverside’s Kyle Conner was the low junior, shooting 79 (39-40). Abington Heights’ Robby Lucas was the low senior with a 77 (36-41).
BOB SIMONS CLASSIC
Team scores: Scranton Prep 304; Abington Heights 314; Riverside 342; Holy Cross 347; Dunmore 347; Lakeland 350; Lackawanna Trail 351; North Pocono 362; Old Forge 363; Honesdale 368; Delaware Valley 373; Blue Ridge 377; Western Wayne 380; Valley View 386; Mid Valley 389; Mountain View 394; Montrose 404; West Scranton 404; Wallenpaupack 415.
Top 20 individuals: Ben Boyanoski (SP) 72; Cole Powell (SP) 73; Steve Yurkovic (HC) 74; Robby Lucas (AH) 77; Luke Swank (AH) 77; Cade Kelleher (AH) 79; Brayden Jones (LT) 79; Kyle Conner (RIV) 79; Brendan Bell (SP) 79; Jack Pavuk (SP) 80; T.J. Stott (SP) 80; Robert Munley (AH) 81; Robert Bingham (AH) 81; Athen DeNaples (DUN) 82; Nate Grochowski (DUN) 82; Jamie Chapman (WW) 82; Alex Ofcharsky (LAK) 83; Jason Walsh (NP) 83; Ryan DeMarco (OF) 83; Lucas Urban (HC) 83.
Low senior: Robby Lucas (AH) 77.
Low junior: Kyle Conner (RIV) 79.
Low sophomore: Jack Pavuk (SP) 80.
Low freshman: Brendan Bell (SP) 79.